Marrakech
ProcessTowards a Global Framework for
Action on Sustainable Consumption
and Production

"The
major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment
is the unsustainable pattern of onsumption and production,
particularly in industrialised countries, which is a matter
of grave concern, aggravating poverty and imbalances."
(Agenda 21 (Chap. 4.3), Earth Summit, Rio 1992)

The
Johannesburg Plan of Implementation (JPOI) of the WSSD in 2002
recognised that Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) is
an overarching objective of and an essential requirement for sustainable
development, and called on all stakeholders to "Encourage
and promote the development of a 10-year framework of programmes
(10YFP) in support of regional and national initiatives to accelerate
the shift towards sustainable consumption and production to promote
social and economic development within the carrying capacity of
ecosystems..."

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United
Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) acted
as the Secretariat of this global process, with an active participation
of national governments, , private sector, civil society, development
agencies, UN Agencies and other stakeholders. See also UNEP-UNDESA
joint website.

The Marrakech Process identified regional SCP needs and priorities,
and supported the development of regional SCP strategies in most
regions as well as the implementation of 33 demonstration projects
worldwide. These included national SCP action plans, capacity
building and SCP tool kits in the areas of sustainable procurement,
tourism, buildings and construction, products, education and lifestyles,
as well as various communications tools and awareness raising
activities. The Marrakech Process informed the elaboration of
the 10YFP, which was one of five themes at CSD 18 and CSD 19.

At CSD 18, the work of the Marrakech Process was duly acknowledged
and recognized as a sound basis for the 10YFP. At CSD19, "Delegations
reached full agreement on elements of a decision on a 10 - year
framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production…".

Next Steps: 10YFP at Rio+20

Many delegations were disappointed that the 10YFP was not adopted
at the CSD19; and have proposed its adoption at the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD,
or Rio +20) in 2012. The Zero draft of Rio+20 document refers
to the 10YFP in its paragraph 97.

The 10YFP represents a concrete and operational outcome that
member states can deliver at Rio+20. It is hoped that member states
agree and adopt the 10YFP at Rio+20.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTNERS

The Marrakech Process would like to thank all of its partners
for their cooperation and support over the years. The work of
the Marrakech Process and its task forces was duly recognised
during the different sessions of the current CSD cycle, and it
is clear that SCP has gained attention on the international agenda.

The breadth of tools and experience on SCP at the global, regional
and national levels developed through the Marrakech Process remains
extremely valuable and, as stated several times during CSD 18
and 19, should be built upon. We will thus continue to make every
effort to strengthen cooperation with stakeholders at all levels
to increase commitment to accelerate the shift towards more sustainable
consumption and production patterns and support the implementation
of SCP.

This
report provides an insight into the diverse activities that have
been undertaken by the Marrakech Process during the last eight
years, providing highlights and lessons learned from the work
of its thematic task forces, and progress at the regional and
national levels.

It includes over 30 examples of innovation and cooperation, ranging
from local to global levels, and including projects on education
and lifestyles, such as SCP clubs for children in Tanzania and
a global survey on sustainable lifestyles; the development of
regional and national SCP strategies and action plans; the implementation
of sustainable public procurement at the national and local levels;
an Eco-labelling Mechanism for Africa; campaigns and policy recommendations
for sustainable tourism; and best practices for sustainable buildings
and construction.

It is clear that the Marrakech Process constitutes a unique voluntary
and multi-partner experience, providing effective mechanisms to
enhance cooperation at all levels to deliver change towards sustainable
consumption and production and resource efficiency.

The challenge now is to accelerate and scale-up the activities
developed by the Marrakech Process.